Adfactors PR has further strengthened its strategic communications and public affairs team by inducting three key professionals – Bharatkumar Raut, Tushar Panchal and Nainu Kumar.

Bharatkumar Raut is a former member of the Rajya Sabha and a journalist. He is a past Editor of Maharashtra Times, The Independent and The Pioneer. During his over three-decade-long career in journalism, Raut held several senior editorial positions at The Times Group, besides being instrumental in launching Zee Network in Europe and the US. He is also credited to have launched the country’s first 24-hour news channel, Zee News.

Tushar Panchal joins Adfactors PR from APCO Worldwide, where he served as Senior Director - Strategic Communications and Public Affairs, heading the ‘Services to the Governments’ practice at the firm’s India office.

Nainu Kumar was earlier Head - Corporate Affairs, and a member of India Management Team at the Indian joint venture of Phillip Morris International. He has also been associated with consultancy firm Dua Consulting in its regulatory and public affairs practice.

These appointments follow Srikanth Srinivas, former Deputy Editor of BusinessWorld, joining the consultancy’s Public Affairs Practice in February this year.

Commenting on the development, Madan Bahal, Co-founder and Managing Director, Adfactors PR said, “We are proud to have professionals of such distinction, calibre and perspective joining us. Through 2014, we will develop the Public Affairs group into a strategic practice to cater to our large and diverse clientele – both Indian and multinational.”